DURHAM – Eight North Carolina Central University Eagles scored touchdowns, while the NCCU offense racked up 465 total yards and the defense secured three interceptions and four sacks during a 59-14 victory over Virginia-Lynchburg in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Saturday.
In the Eagles' first game as a nationally-ranked team in five years (No. 25), they scored the most points since Sept. 17, 2016 (65 vs. Saint Augustine's), and reached 40 points or more for three straight contests for the first time in 37 years.
NCCU (4-0) used a stable of ball carriers to amass a season-high 272 rushing yards, marking the third consecutive outing with more than 200 yards on the ground.
Leading the way for the Eagles was running back Chris Mosley with 72 yards, including 58 yards on a breakaway race to the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Latrell Collier added 63 yards and a touchdown, J'Mari Taylor posted 54 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Davius Richard contributed 41 yards and his fifth rushing touchdown of the season.
Richard also completed 12-of-17 passes for 148 yards and three touchdowns. On the receiving end of the scoring tosses were Andrew Smith (3 receptions, 31 yards), Quentin McCall, and E.J. Hicks. Joaquin Davis also had three catches for 33 yards, while Devin Smith and Twan Flip Jr. registered two grabs each for 35 and 33 receiving yards, respectively.
The eighth and final touchdown was a 24-yard connection from quarterback Quest Powell to receiver Marseille Miller with nine minutes left in the ballgame.
Defensively, NCCU was topped by linebacker Max U'Ren with seven takedowns and a forced fumble, while defensive back Makai McCall tallied six tackles. Defensive lineman Colby Warrior accounted for three stops, including 2.0 hits for a loss with an assisted sack, and an interception.
Along with three tackles, NCCU safety Khalil Baker recorded his fourth interception of the season, having collected a pick in each of the Eagles' four games. Defensive back Marvin Reed also had an interception.
Virginia-Lynchburg (0-4) posted 177 yards of total offense and forced five turnovers.
Up next, NCCU puts its undefeated record on the line at Campbell on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m.
Story courtesy of NCCU Sports Information
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